Berlusconi would fit the bill herself, although she insists that is not the motivation behind her suggestion.

"After two World Cups in which we [Italy] haven't even got past the group stage, and after even being overtaken [in UEFA's five-year rankings] by a league which is not necessarily rich like Portugal, the time has come to change," Berlusconi is quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport.

"We have a governing body who spend most of their time bickering and arguing with each other while other countries are gaining, thanks to their leagues, even greater slices of the market in Asia and the Middle East.

"I would like to make it clear immediately that I am not seeking a position for myself. I am young and I am still learning. But I have been fortunate in these years to get to know a generation of people in their 40s who are all very well-prepared, competent and would be able to reform football with their innovative, managerial spirit.

"Unfortunately this elite, who are not that well known, are not able to find any room because the will to change things is not there."

Berlusconi's words appear to be an endorsement of Demetrio Albertini, 43, or Paolo Maldini, 46 -- two former AC Milan legends, who are reportedly in the running to replace Abete.

However, the primary candidate remains the current president of the Italian Amateur Football Association, Carlo Tavecchio, 71, who has told Berlusconi to mind her own business.

"The kind lady will have no say on who is named the new president," he is quoted as saying by Giornalettismo. "In our case, it comes down to the support you have from over a million-and-a-half members who form part of our movement."